Test drive Citroen SpaceTourer
It all starts with a spectacular focus. You kick the air under the stern, and the drive slides the side door hospitably. Bienvenue!
Immediately about the main thing. Having made its debut in the Russian segment of maxivans or, in a simple way, minibuses, the new Citroen SpaceTourer pleased with an adequate ratio of prices and configurations. A pleasant surprise, merci to the French. After all, the selection of a large one-room apartment for someone is more difficult than finding a one-room apartment.
Volkswagen T6 is one in three persons: the Spartan Transporter Kombi (from $ 26) and the more comfortable Caravelle / Multivan (from $ 054 and from $ 28) with two-liter gasoline engines and diesels (772-34 hp), MKP139 and RKP102, front and all-wheel drive, in two lengths. A close rival, the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer (from $ 204) has three lengths, plus a wide range of 6 and 7 liter diesels (28-633 hp), MKP1,6 and AKP2,2, front and rear wheel drive. Alas, with decent equipment, these models are already frankly expensive.
The less prestigious Ford Tourneo Custom (from $ 29) has two body sizes, but only one 591 liter (2,2 hp) diesel with only MKP125 and front-wheel drive. We also mention the Hyundai H-6 (from $ 1) with a 25 liter diesel engine (294-2,5 hp), MKP116 or AKP170 and rear-wheel drive. And those who want to stand out can buy the original Toyota Alphard business model (from $ 6) with a petrol V5 46 (316 hp), automatic transmission6 and front-wheel drive.
Against this background, the Citroen SpaceTourer looks like a good balance. Turbo diesel 2,0 HDi (150 hp), 6-speed manual gearbox and automatic gearbox, front-wheel drive, a choice of a regular body length 4959 mm or increased to 5309 mm with an increase in the stern with the same base of 3275 mm. Prices - from $ 25, additional payment for lengthening - $ 876 for an “automatic machine” - another $ 647. The salon is 1- or 165-seater, the third row is free of charge. The standard set of Feel equipment, and the long version is also available in the 5-seat Business Lounge (from $ 8).
Basic Feel is not poor. There are LED running lights, fog lights with cornering lights, heated electric mirrors and front seats, two air conditioning systems - a dual-zone main one with an additional rear one, cruise control, an audio system, Bluetooth, driver attention control, airbags for the first row, ERA-GLONASS, ESP and an assistant when starting up the hill.
Plus an important adaptation: heating of the wiper rest zone, a battery with increased capacity, a more efficient alternator and starter, reinforced suspension, engine protection and a full-size spare wheel that hangs under the bottom. The diesel has a Webasto heater, but every 20 km the engine needs to be refueled with AdBlue urea.
The most interesting, of course, in the list of options: alloy 17-inch wheels ($ 517), xenon headlights ($ 517), keyless entry and start of the engine ($ 517), head-up display ($ 388), leather upholstery ($ 1) , curtains of safety ($ 165). The French offer a 218-inch touchscreen, navigation, WiFi, MirrorLink, Bluetooth, USB slot, and AUX input ($ 7 package). There are also parking sensors, blind spot indicator and all-round cameras ($ 906 package). Active cruise control, high beam autoswitching, emergency braking and lane tracking are included in the $ 841 package).
A successful Business already includes all of the above. In addition, the top version has improved noise insulation, the front seats are electrified, and the passenger has a massager. They ask for a surcharge for a folding table in a block with a large box between the second row seats ($ 323) and for a two-section panoramic roof with mechanical curtains ($ 634). The list of additional equipment for the model is completed by a removable hitch ($ 453).
On Saturday morning we have a SpaceTourer Feel with the usual 8-seater body for a typical trip out of town. Wouldn't it have been better to ask Citroen for a longer version? But there are only four of us, and all the luggage fits into the compartment left behind the third row. There is a minimum of 603 liters, but the gallery can be moved into the salon. A long one without transformation remains 989 liters - enough for eight. And if you remove the passenger rows? The seats are weighty and with stubborn locks - tinker, but after dismantling, you will get a van with a cargo volume of up to 4 liters.
A kick of air under the bumper - and the side door slides off. Hands-free access (first in class) is the most expensive option available at $ 1. Keyless system without touch focuses - $ 812. But the electric drives of massive doors, of course, are for the good, and both passengers and the driver can close the doors with buttons from the passenger compartment.
You do not sit in the salon - you go. For greater convenience, only the handles on the racks are missing. The “living area” is spacious and the freedom of passengers can be varied by moving the middle row. The girls took side seats on it, folded down the central part of the back, threw back the tables in the front seats and are happy. But for people larger, the seat sections will be cramped. And the padding would be softer - with the current profile of the sidewalls at the narrow backs, it is somewhat intrusive.
The crew commander of the SpaceTourer is greeted with a strict atmosphere. And it's good that there are no branded creativity chips here - you get used to it quickly. Easily put up with a vertical fit. But it is inconvenient to lift your foot from the gas pedal to the brake and bend over to the parking brake lever. On the move, it turns out that the brakes of the maxiwen are impulsive in French, and accuracy is needed for smooth decelerations.
Do you know which car one of the SpaceTourer passengers has? Volkswagen Multivan. The owner, accustomed to German quality, finds the French build to be of good quality. But meticulously marks the barely visible skew of the lid of one of the compartments for change, indicates imperfect gaps between the buttons.
German armrests with stepless adjustment, but not here. It's hard to reach for the niches and cup holders on the top of the dashboard. The side mirrors are small, but this is understandable without comparison. But the additional spherical mini-mirror in the cabin is commendable. Plus sign and for the electrification of living space: four 12-volt sockets and one for 220.
The steering wheel makes almost four turns from lock to lock - you twist and twist in the cramped courtyards. But the minibus is maneuverable. On the road, the “length” of the steering wheel has almost no effect on feedback. The handling is pleasant, considering that the maxiven is not intended for forcing corners. Smooth running? In general, the SpaceTourer is comfortable, but sensitive to minor irregularities and joints, and the rear suspension sometimes works harshly. “But Multivan is generally tougher,” comments its owner.
Diesel to match the moderate appearance of the car. Is a little lazy when picking up the pace, and will probably be noticeably puzzled by the full load of the car. However, once you get used to catching the asset with the gas pedal, you get the expected responses. The automatic transmission is smooth and helpful, it is unnecessary to press the manual mode button and change gears with paddles. Having overcome 500 km in such a fine mode, we were rewarded with an actual average consumption of 8,6 liters per 100 kilometers.
The SpaceTourer is nobly quiet, although the sound of Michelin Agilis Alpin winter tires is evident in the interior. It's not a mistake - these are the ones that come with the optional Grip Control ($ 776) flotation system. The modes "Track", "Snow", "Off-road" and "Sand" are offered. But when trying to move onto the dirt road, the SpaceTourer immediately struck the ground with the motor protection. How the declared clearance of 175 mm was intended is a question.
And then it's time to remember that Citroen SpaceTourer entered the Russian market simultaneously with its twin Peugeot Traveler, for which the offer is identical. Here is the main contender. And compared to other competitors, SpaceTourer may become even more attractive, because the French are planning to localize the model, which, in theory, will reduce prices.
| Body type | Minivan | Minivan |
| dimensions (length / width / height), mm | 4959/1920/1881 | 5309/1920/1881 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 3275 | 3275 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1746 | 1806 |
| engine's type | Diesel, R4, turbo | Diesel, R4, turbo |
| Working volume, cubic meters cm | 1997 | 1997 |
| Power, hp from. at rpm | 150 at 4000 | 150 at 4000 |
| Max. cool. moment, Nm at rpm | 370 at 2000 | 370 at 2000 |
| Transmission, drive | 6th st. INC | 6th st. АКП |
| Max. speed km / h | 184 | 183 |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h, from | 12,4 | 12,3 |
| Fuel consumption (horizontal / highway / mixed), l | 7,3/5,2/6,0 | 7,0/5,6/6,2 |
| Price from, $. | 25 876 | 27 688 |
